Sony STRDH790.CEK 7.2 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS: X 4K HDR AV Receiver - Black

Product Information

And notably there is no support for networking at all, either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. However there is Bluetooth, which may be far more important for those seeking a receiver at this price point. It supports the AAC codec, so most Apple device users should get the best Bluetooth sound possible. It doesn’t support aptX, nor Sony’s LDAC. Overall, the features and functions work well to offer lots of performance and range of tuneability without being cluttered and over-demanding. The 4k resolution passthrough capability means this is an excellent budget choice for outfitting your new 4k television. The range of audio and video features included in this model make it a great choice for people who enjoy watching movies in all their cinematic glory from the comfort of their home. The receiver covers all of he sound frequencies the human ear can hear, and even a few that we can’t. It’ll send frequencies to your speakers from 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz. Sophisticated sound formats give you control over which speakers are receiving certain channels of sound. Sound Processing Features

Out of the box, very easy to set-up, with the only let-down being those cheap speaker terminals. Thankfully, the penny-pinching aspects are restricted to out-of-view areas. Maintain 4K quality from source to screen. 4K passthrough allows a signal to pass through the receiver without compromising image quality and is HDCP 2.2 compatible. The Sony sound also isn’t to everyone’s liking. We found that pairing this with high-quality speakers produced a significant improvement in overall sound, showing that this receiver has the potential to be excellent, but it sounded a little forced and harsh on budget speakers. One minor quibble is that Sony really seems to like their bass. The first thing I noticed after unhooking my receiver and replacing it with the STR-DH790 was that this unit pumped out the bass at a significantly higher level given similar sound-field settings. I’m not sure why they go so heavy on the bass, but it’s easy enough to tweak if you’re coming from a different brand and appreciate a more subtle approach.The receiver also has one optical digital audio cable for connecting non-eARC televisions to provide an audio signal interface. Connectivity Options

It should be made perfectly clear at this point that all multi-channel AV receivers have circuits of one type or another that limit power output in certain conditions (including when multiple channels are driven, rather than just two), so Sony is doing the same thing as all other manufacturers of AV receiv­ers. (There are some exceptions to this rule, but they’re all extremely high-priced.) There are four HDMI inputs, all supporting all the good stuff you’d expect. According to the specs they support up to 4K and UHD at up to 60Hz, HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma and Dolby Vision, 3D, Deep Colour, the BT.2020 colour space, and the all-important HDCP 2.2 copy protection system. There’s a single HDMI output. The STR-DH790 features a dedicated electronic Audio Return Channel (eARC) HDMI input that streamlines connecting your compatible television to allow audio signals to run both to and from the television while requiring only a single video signal cable.

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There were some wrinkles with the HDMI equipment I used. Specifically, neither of my Beyonwiz PVRs would work with the HDMI input labelled BD/DVD. Both worked perfect­ly with the Game and Media Box inputs. The Beyonwiz T4 also worked with the SAT/CATV input, but while the picture came through from the T3 on that one, the sound wouldn’t. I tried different HDMI cables. No idea what was going on there. The BD/DVD input worked fine with the Sony UBP-X700 and my own selection of UHD and Blu-ray players. A useful button on the remote displays video and audio signal information on the screen, so you have some information to work with. Music plays just fine, with decent sound reproduction across the various genres I threw at the unit. You are a little limited in terms of music inputs, which I’ll touch on later, but I had pleasant experiences listening to both CDs and Bluetooth-streamed tunes during my time with the STR-DH790. This Sony receiver has Bluetooth on-board, but no networking or internet access. (Image credit: Sony) All of the features, functions, and options don’t count for anything if the receiver isn’t worth having. The only way to properly judge any audio equipment is to hear it for yourself since we all hear things differently. We will discuss our opinions and the opinions we’ve learned about this affordable Sony receiver. Setup The Sony STR-DH790 shares a lot in common with the Onkyo TX-SR494. They’re both 7.2 channel receivers that are capable of being configured in 5.2, and they’re both aimed at the entry-level home theater consumer. They both support most of the same formats, like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 4K HDR video.

By supporting High Dynamic Range (HDR) signal pass-through, you can enjoy the incredible jump in contrast and brightness it brings – and the additional shadow detail and highlights further enhance picture detail and brings colour to life. Latest HDR standards such as HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) and Dolby Vision™ are supported. No matter what space or setup you’re working with, the flexible SonySTR-DH790 works with your speakers to make sure you get all-round stunning sound. If you're looking for powerful sound from an affordable home theater receiver, the Sony STR-DH790 is a great choice. Got a 4K TV? This 7.2-channel receiver is ready for the latest Ultra HD content. Built-in Bluetooth gives you tons of options for streaming music from a compatible device. And Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding delivers 360-degree surround sound for the most lifelike movie experience you can have at home. Cinematic sound for any space Dolby Atmos® processing for use with in-ceiling or "height" speakers for more enveloping surround sound There are some big pluses and minuses when it comes to setting up your home theater with the DCAC system. One of the things that we really like about the STR-DH790 is the simplicity of the basic user menu on setup. Things are clearly labeled, easy to find, and sensible.Functionality is great, lovin' the Bluetooth input that is a comparative breeze to use. (Previously, I had one of those separate little receiver things - what a faff!) I'm surprised at the very basic GUI when compared with other Sony AV Amps that I've seen. I think a lot more could have been made with that, especially with some of the finer set-up tweaks like reassigning inputs etc.